Eight Oklahoma Cities to Participate in Inaugural Program

Oklahoma City -- Creative Oklahoma announced today that 8 Oklahoma communities: Altus, Enid, Durant, Guthrie, Locust Grove, Okmulgee, Ponca City and Tahlequah have been selected to become the first participants in the Oklahoma Creative Communities Project. The project assists communities in creative problem-solving processes that can help them address challenges and improve quality of life issues. Over the next twenty months, Guthrie will receive access to a unique set of resources that support the community’s efforts to engage citizens. The effort will empower local citizens to develop and implement their own creative ideas and solutions to challenges within their communities. Being part of the Oklahoma Creative Communities Project will also provide a platform to promote unique stories of creativity and innovation from within each community.​“Every community faces a unique set of challenges,” said Roger Webb, Chairman of Creative Oklahoma. “But every community also has a unique set of passionate, talented people who are eager to tackle them and make that community a better place to live, work and raise a family.” Communities were chosen through an application process that began in January of 2016. A selection team at Creative Oklahoma reviewed applications and recommended eight finalists be selected for participation. In Guthrie, The Arts in Guthrie program was the entity making application. Creative Oklahoma will work intently with each community to cultivate new ideas that contribute to economic growth and societal transformation. “We believe that fostering a grassroots network of Creative Communities is essential to the vibrancy of the state and will help Oklahoma become a nationally recognized destination to live, work, and visit,” said Webb. “Guthrie is a great place to start!”Leadership teams and teaching resources will be provided by the Creative Oklahoma Network and include talent from across the state. Facilitators and thought leaders from national and international firms round out this new statewide initiative.

The initiative and creative thinking process will launch with a two-day retreat in mid-March for all eight communities. For more information about the Creative Communities Project, visit www.stateofcreativity.com.

About Creative OklahomaCreative Oklahoma is a statewide non-profit organization advancing Oklahoma’s economy through innovation-focused initiatives in education, commerce and culture. The mission is to develop, promote and celebrate Oklahoma’s creativity and innovation in education, commerce and culture. For more information, please visitwww.stateofcreativity.com

Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday Season!Guthrie really ramps it up for December; Christmas programs such as the huge multi-school concert at the Masonic Temple abound, galleries and shops are full, music fills the streets and venues such as Byron Berline’s Double Stop Music Hall, The Pollard Theatre presents their perennial favorite; “A Territorial Christmas Carol”, carriages jingle through the downtown district, and visitors come from all over the country to experience a Victorian Christmas! What a fantastic time of highlighting Guthrie’s Arts Scene! This is why The Arts in Guthrie is important, bringing attention to the wonderful arts related events and venues that we have year round will help increase commerce and bring growth to our economic infrastructure.This month we were excited to be highlighted in the Oklahomans for the Arts Blog celebrating the 50th Anniversary of The Oklahoma Arts Council! Various entities and individuals have shared the many ways that the OAC has been able to offer support, guidance, and grants to help develop successful careers, businesses, or organizations. You can find our story at http://www.oklahomansforthearts.org/blog. Speaking of OAC, as you know, the state has quite a shortfall to compensate for. OAC is one of the lowest funded, yet most efficient of all of the state agencies. Read some of the stories on the blog for a bigger perspective on what they do. Since the arts is typically undervalued when it comes to the budget process so maybe it would be helpful if some of us were to contact our legislators and let them know how much we count on OAC to help us create economic stimulus.For a really big picture on what the impact of the arts is within our community we will be starting up with the Americans for the Arts Economic Impact Study beginning next month. There is a very informative article on the Oklahomans for the Arts blog that has specific information about what is going to be involved. Keep an eye out on our website, www.theartsinguthrie.org, for a call to action. We will be asking for help to complete this year long process.This month I have been able to speak with several people in town who are doing the work of art in Guthrie in many forms. Some have come to ask for advice, some for assistance, and some realizing how important our work is to the successful future of Guthrie and our arts culture, have come to offer assistance. There are few things more exciting to me than to have a brain storming session with someone who is trying to figure out how to do their work with a greater effect. Seeing how we all can work together to support each other and build a stronger community is stimulating! Our community is full of talented and caring folks who want to see prosperity and sustainability here. If you are one of those folks, come and join us as we work to provide a foundation for growth and inclusion. Contact me at: theartsinguthrie@gmail.com, or on the website.If you are an artist, remember to go to our website to register, put your events on our calendar, and provide photos and info for our Artist Spotlight. The Spotlight will be free if you register your info by at least the first of the year. Share the word! If you aren’t an artist, but have a venue or are a supporter of the arts, you can make a donation, add a calendar item, or sign up for a committee. We will soon have a list of committees and tasks listed on the site, but until then just let us know that you are interested and we will contact you!One last important thing, a BIG THANK YOU to AirMedCare Network and Les McGee for supporting The Arts in Guthrie! We received our first check from them this month. For every policy that you purchase from them using our code: 713, they will donate $10 to The Arts in Guthrie! Call or go by The Guthrie Chamber of Commerce to get information on their affordable membership programs for your family or business.Have a Holly Jolly!!

The Arts in Guthrie! It’s not just an organization, it’s not just an office or email address, it’s EVERYWHERE!!! Look around you the next time you are downtown, ARTS ARE EVERYWHERE!!! Whether in our stunning architecture, our museums and galleries, glass blowing or fiddle lessons, performance venues on every street, or GPS gaining accolades for performances and creations across the region, Guthrie is built on an Arts Economy! It is my belief that our next stimulus for economic growth is coming from the arts sector.

Arts patrons are ready to commit and arts-based tourism is growing across the country, and particularly in our region. I think that we are tired of exporting our talent to the northwest or California; we need to provide opportunities right here and bring all of those other folks to us!! The Arts in Guthrie has contracted with Americans for the Arts to do an economic impact study specifically of the effect of Guthrie’s arts economy. It will be over a year-long process that will measure the amount of money flows through the community by way of our nonprofit arts venues and events. The last time a study of this type was undertaken was well over a decade ago and only took into account the impact of The Pollard Theatre. At that time it was estimated that there was approximately a million dollars yearly impact on the community through that single venue! By having a current impact study conducted by such a respected entity we will have hard numbers to show people who are interested in investing in Guthrie, bringing new businesses, venues, artists, and residents to our community. The study will also aid businesses and organizations when looking for grants and funding from outside sources to continue the good work that they do. It is something that will benefit the entire community, and The Arts in Guthrie is happy to provide it for you!

There are large investors looking at Guthrie constantly to find some way to invest and become part of what appears from the outside to be a town on the verge of another big boom. Just this week I ran into a good friend, a banker from OKC, walking down Oklahoma Ave. When I asked him what he was doing he said that he was looking for investment property. He had looked at one of the large buildings downtown – after somewhat of a struggle getting a response from the realtor on the phone and email – and he was very impressed! He was shocked that the “loft space” wasn’t all occupied downtown, and that there were so many empty storefronts. (So am I) I reassured him that it’s a process and that we are on the upswing, showed him a couple of other options, and left him still walking down the street looking around in amazement. These are the people who will bring vitality to downtown, and by extension, to the entire community!

More Big News!!! Our website is going LIVE on December 1, 2015!!!! Please check it out at www.theartsinguthrie.org. With our website we will be able to allow artists to add events to our calendar, provide information for a registry of local artists of all types, learn about opportunities for employment outside of our local area, and create an online gallery to share their work. Others will be able to check out events, performances, openings, and will also be able to find local artists to hire for their own events. Another great feature is that donors will be able to make contributions directly through a secure site.The Arts in Guthrie is here to benefit GUTHRIE! We know that in order for our arts community to prosper, Guthrie has to prosper. Our main objectives are: •Arts District Development •Economic Development •Community Building •Education

​Join us as we work to make sustainable community-focused growth happen in Guthrie. - Lucy Swanson, Executive Director, The Arts in Guthrie

As a lifelong resident of Guthrie I have to admit that I had rarely considered what a rich Arts Culture we have here. As a matter of fact, although I knew that we had fabulous venues and events such as The Pollard Theatre and The Oklahoma International Bluegrass Festival, I never considered Guthrie as an arts place. It wasn’t until I began working with individuals, businesses, and non-profits in the community that I realized the depth and quality of our Arts Community. We are amazing!

In 2013 I was honored to be accepted into the Oklahoma Arts Council’s Leadership Arts program where I learned just how special Guthrie is when compared to other places. We would visit an area and while they extolled the virtues of the area I would be thinking, “We have that, we have more than that, we have better than that. Plus we already have a foundation established on which to build!” (Ok, I really thought, “…a foundation to build on.”) I began to wonder why Guthrie wasn’t considered an “Arts District” considering the number of arts related assets we have. Soon, I was asking around to see if anyone else agreed with me. It turns out that many people did agree, and were eager to help me do something to change that! That’s when we formed The Arts in Guthrie – TAG to begin the task of bringing the awareness of this unique arts community to others.

Since those early get-togethers we have accomplished quite a bit. We have had a series of pot luck suppers to give our diverse arts community an opportunity to meet and collaborate. John Vance Auto Group has donate a box truck to us to be converted into a mobile art gallery so that we can take Guthrie’s Arts to other communities, events, and festivals across the region. We have received a grant from The Oklahoma Arts Council for 2 years now for Cultural District Development and with it a consultant was hired to help us create a 5 year plan for the development of our district. TAG was represented at Arts Day at the Capital this year with a beautiful table display created by Hancock Creative and with Byron Berline and Donna Hilton coming along to let folks get a taste of what they will find when they come visit us. We look for ways to promote and support our arts community whenever we can. Local businesses and corporations have stepped up to support us through their contributions and in-kind donations. Businesses such as Air Med Care are giving us a donation for every new membership that they get using our code number – 713. What a great community player!​After all of the work we have been doing the reward is bound to come. Right? Yes! Just last week we were chosen as one of the inaugural group of official Cultural Districts to be certified by the Oklahoma Arts Council! That means that we have been recognized as a particular cultural arts asset by The State of Oklahoma! This is the first time that such a designation has existed, and we are honored to have been recognized amongst a stellar group of other districts such as The Paseo, The Plaza District, and The Brady Arts District in Tulsa among others. This is hardly a singular recognition of our arts community; it is a way of opening doors to economic development and community development as well! With state recognized recognition of our arts culture, investment in Guthrie will begin to grow.I’m excited about the possibilities! The Arts in Guthrie has achieved one of its primary goals – to be recognized as a Cultural Arts District. Now we need to bring that good news to the rest of the state! #GuthrieCoolness #GuthrieArts ​- Lucy Swanson, Executive Director, The Arts in Guthrie​